Malcolm Turnbull shifts focus to power prices with Snowy Hydro spruik

Malcolm Turnbull has made his second visit to the Snowy Hydro in five months in an attempt to shift the political focus away from the citizenship fiasco and the same sex marriage survey, to the issues he believes voters care most about, like power prices.

He said the Snowy 2.0 project will bring 5000 jobs, increase power supplies and reduce prices.

The prime minister today announced the Australian Renewable Energy Agency will put $8m towards the feasibility study, saying there's something "romantic" about the "nation-building project".

"I can remember, as a little schoolboy coming and being awed by those machines," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Cooma after touring some of the scheme.

"This project was being built 60 years ago and it is still working, and it will be there for 600 years.

The prime minister in Cooma today. (AAP) ()

"This was a nation building project, and what we are doing now is doubling it and I have no doubt, in the future make it even bigger still."

The government said the expansion will create 5000 jobs and generate enough power for half a million homes.

Prime Minister Turnbull made a visit to the Snowy Hydro Tumut 2 power station on Monday. (AAP) (AAP)Prime Minister Turnbull made a visit to the Snowy Hydro Tumut 2 power station on Monday. (AAP) (AAP)Looking down on the Tumut 3 power station at the Snowy Hydro Scheme in Talbingo. (AAP) (AAP)

The government has threatened gas companies with export controls to ensure cheaper prices.

"Through our domestic gas export mechanism scheme, we will ensure that there is adequate supply of gas for the domestic markets," Mr Turnbull said.

The prime minister will meet with energy retailers for the second time this month on Wednesday to discuss how they will reduce power bills for families.

The consumer watchdog has told the government at least one million households are paying more for electricity than they need to because they're on the wrong plans.